2004 Ichiro Suzuki



the display of ichiro suzuki, located on third floor of national baseball hall of fame , museum, shows ichi-meter, record hits in season ichiro suzuki in 2004.


ichiro had best offensive season date in 2004, highlighted breaking of george sisler s 84-year-old record hits (257) in season. increase in games played benefited ichiro, accumulated 251 hits through first 154 games of season, although should noted sisler played entire career in era of racial segregation. ichiro recorded 50 hits in 4 different months of year (september , october combined mlb computational purpose), becoming first player ever have 4 in season. 51 hits in august 2001, ichiro joined pete rose players 5 50-hit months in career.


on may 21, ichiro recorded 2,000th professional hit. 200th hit of 2004 came in 126th game. end of september, 1 three-game series remaining, ichiro s hit total stood @ 256—one shy of sisler. ichiro singled off rangers ryan drese on october 1 tie sisler s record. in third inning, on 3–2 count, ichiro singled middle 258th hit of year, ichiro later called greatest moment of baseball career . greeted swarm of teammates, , standing ovation fans. sisler s daughter, francis sisler drochelman attended game, , greeted ichiro after hit. ichiro finished 2004 season record 262 hits, giving him single-season records both united states , japanese baseball.


in july 2009, while in st. louis ninth all-star appearance, ichiro made trip sisler s grave. later told reporters, there s not many chances come st. louis. in 2004, first time crossed paths him, , family generously came way seattle. above all, chance. wanted grand upperclassman of baseball world. think s natural want that, express feelings in way. i’m not sure if s happy it.


from 2001 2004, ichiro had more hits (924) in history on four-year period, breaking record of 918 bill terry accumulated 1929 1932; terry, however, played in 34 fewer games ichiro during respective four-year spans. later surpass own mark recording 930 hits 2004 2007. during 1 56-game stretch in 2004, ichiro batted on .450. comparison, joe dimaggio batted .408 during record-setting 56-game hitting streak. ichiro batted on .400 against left-handed pitching in 2004.








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